Frontline Child Protective Investigator

State of Florida; Bartow (FL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Florida, Department of Children and Families, is seeking a Child Protective Investigator to conduct investigations of abuse, neglect, and other conditions affecting children. The role requires quick action in crises, detailed interviews, assessment of danger, and coordination for safe placement when needed.

The position is full-time in Career Service with night, weekend, or holiday shifts as needed.

Qualifications

• A high school diploma or GED equivalent and four years of law enforcement experience or active military service (honorably discharged or status that current service reflects serving honorably); OR
• An associate degree or 60+ credit hours from an accredited college or university and two years of professional work experience (see examples below) or two years of law enforcement experience or active military service (honorably discharged or status that current service reflects serving honorably);
• Examples of professional work experience could be, although not limited to : Guardian Ad Litem or similar child advocate role, Family Support Worker, Group Home Worker, Teacher / Teacher's Assistant/Aide, Therapeutic Assistant, Family Intervention Specialist, Home Health Aide / CNA, Healthcare Practitioner (LPN , RN) or similar profession, Nursing Facility Assistant, Paramedic / EMT, Dispatcher, Security /Safety Officer, Emergency Management Deputy/Director or similar position, Investigator (sworn/non-sworn) for a government entity, Other welfare, education , first responder , emergency management or medical professional jobs that occur in high-paced, high-stress environments that require critical decision-making to occur.
• OR
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• An official letter from the college/university registrar or unofficial transcriptions with anticipated graduation dates and credits earned must be provided for all diploma/degree requirements.

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations of abuse, neglect, abandonment and/or special conditions for children.
• Collect information through observation and interviews with the children, parents, relatives, and neighbors.
• Assess danger threats, child vulnerabilities and caregiver protective capacities to determine safety.
• Arrange emergency placement for any child that cannot safely remain in their home.
• Notify state attorney, law enforcement and child protection teams.
• Provide families with service linkages to agency and community resources.
• Conduct initial/ongoing child present and impending danger assessments.
• Report indication of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline.

Skills

Law enforcement experience

Interviewing

Decision making

Time management

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree or 60+ credit hours

Bachelor's degree (optional)

Job description

State of Florida, Department of Children and Families, is seeking a Child Protective Investigator to conduct investigations of abuse, neglect, and other conditions affecting children. The role requires quick action in crises, detailed interviews, assessment of danger, and coordination for safe placement when needed.

The position is full-time in Career Service with night, weekend, or holiday shifts as needed.